Feature image: courtesy of JK Art House
July 15 – August 30, 2026
Submitted
Milwaukee, WI – JK Art House is proud to present Forward V: Our Wisconsin & Regional Artists, the fifth installment of our beloved annual summer exhibition celebrating the exceptional painters, printmakers, sculptors, and mixed-media artists who call Wisconsin and the greater Midwest home. This year’s exhibition marks a milestone moment: its debut in our new home at 191 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
Forward V gathers Marc Anderson, Reginald Baylor, Allison B. Cooke, Al Eickberg, Steve Gerhartz, Bobby Girsh, Michael Guinane, Mutópe J. Johnson, Darren Jones, Shelby Keefe, Antwan Ramar, Jolanta Kinga Rose, Colette Odya Smith, Michael Charles Sutton, and John Waite.
In a richly layered showcase that honors both the diversity and the common spirit of regional artmaking. From luminous plein air landscapes and intimate figurative work to bold abstraction and finely crafted objects, the exhibition reflects the breadth of contemporary practice thriving in our region.
This year’s exhibition also introduces two emerging artists selected for their exceptional promise: Greta Berens, a recent graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), and Abigail Tran who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Their inclusion reflects JK Art House’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of Wisconsin artists — ensuring that young talent has a meaningful platform alongside established voices in the regional art community.
The word “Forward” has always anchored this exhibition — a declaration of artistic momentum, of craft honed over years of dedication, and of a community that continues to push its creative vision ahead. In its fifth year, Forward feels more vital than ever. JK Art House opens this exhibition not simply as a curated show but as a celebration of the artists who have shaped our gallery’s identity and inspired our collectors season after season.
A New Home, A New Chapter
Forward V marks the first summer exhibition at JK Art House’s new gallery space, which opened to broad acclaim during its Grand Opening week in June 2026. Co-owned by Julia Taylor, Gallery Director, and Karen Ellenbecker, founder of Ellenbecker Investment Group, JK ArtHouse brings together a roster of approximately 55 regional and national artists in a dynamic space designed to foster deep engagement between collectors, artists, and the broader Milwaukee community.
“We could not be more excited to celebrate our Wisconsin and regional artists in our new home,” said Julia Taylor. “Forward has always been about honoring the talent that surrounds us — artists whose work is world-class and whose commitment to their craft reflects the very best of what Milwaukee’s arts community has to offer. This year feels particularly meaningful as we step into a beautiful new chapter for JK Art House.”
“We are also thrilled to welcome Greta Berens and Abigail Tran to this exhibition,” Taylor added. “MIAD and UWM are producing extraordinary young artists, and JK Art House believes it is our responsibility to open doors for them. These two women represent the future of Wisconsin art, and we are proud to give their work the spotlight it deserves.”
Join us at Forward V and Milwaukee’s Gallery Night and Day, the city’s premier annual celebration of the visual arts, drawing thousands of visitors to the Historic Third Ward over a one amazing weekend. The exhibition also takes place in the context of the Historic Third Ward District’s 50th anniversary year — a milestone that honors the neighborhood’s long legacy as Milwaukee’s center of art, design, and culture.
About JK Art House
JK Art House is a contemporary fine art gallery located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, representing approximately 55 regional and national artists across painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media. Co-owned by Julia Taylor and Karen Ellenbecker, the gallery hosts eight or more exhibitions annually and maintains satellite locations at the Journeyman Hotel, Milwaukee Athletic Club, and The Guardian. JK Art House is committed to connecting collectors with exceptional art and fostering a vibrant community of artistic excellence in Milwaukee and beyond.
Contact
Julia Taylor, Gallery Director & Co-Owner
191 N. Broadway, Suite 102, Milwaukee, WI 53202
info@jkarthousemke.com
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